Biz Beat 5-22-2014

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May 22, 2014 - 1:00am

Kush MMD and Reign Inc. have opened a state-licensed and regulated medical marijuana facility (MFF) and wellness center at 221 W. 10th Ave. in downtown Eugene. A ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house was held May 12. The business has a provisional MMF license and “will wait until receiving the official state registration from the state before engaging in cannabis commerce,” says General Manager Lisa Della Croce. “We will operate a holistic wellness center as well with an acupuncturist, massage therapist and a community library filled with helpful information to improve people’s quality of life.” Call 915-0327 or email reigninc2014@gmail.com.

One of the rainiest Wildflower Festivals in a long time happened Sunday, May 18. “During the downpours, everyone ran for cover and laughed. What else can you do when it is pouring?” says Peg Douthit-Jackson, education and special events coordinator at the nonprofit Mount Pisgah Arboretum. She says attendance was “around 1,500, which was about 500 below what we would expect with this type of weather. Our income was down due to fewer people but we really pushed our memberships at the gate and those increased 300 percent. It is great that we got so many folks to join us and be part of the arboretum family.” The arboretum’s next fundraiser is the Mushroom Festival in October. Meanwhile, guided morning bird walks are coming up Sunday, May 25, and June 22. $5 for non-members. See mountpisgaharboreum.com or call 747-1504.

In labor news, the American Postal Workers Union and its allied unions are protesting efforts to privatize the Postal Service. Demonstrations have been held at 56 Staples stores around the country, including Portland May 18. Staples has contracted with the Postal Service to set up mini-post offices in 56 Staples stores, and if the pilot project is deemed successful, all 1,600 Staples stores in the U.S. will have private post offices, staffed by low-paid, non-union, untrained workers, according to Jamie Partridge of Portland Communities and Postal Workers United. His phone number is (503) 752-5112.

Springfield Creamery, which produces Nancy’s Yogurt and other products, has been verified by The Non-GMO Project. The creamery is among the first nationally distributed dairy products producers to get such verification. “The verification process is a rigorous program that includes traceability, segregation and testing at critical control points,” says owner Sheryl Kesey Thompson. The company will be audited annually as part of the process.

SolarCity is the contractor for OSU’s largest new solar array as part of OSU’s Solar by Degrees program. OSU now has 10 acres of solar facilities around Corvallis generating about 2,200 kilowatts of electricity. SolarCity, based in California with offices in Portland, builds and owns the solar arrays at no cost to OSU; in turn, OSU buys solar power at a “lower rate than they would pay for utility power,” according to Brandon Trelstad, OSU’s sustainability coordinator in a press release.

Eugene-based SheerID is continuing to grow, partnering with for-profit and nonprofit enterprises to validate legitimate discounts. Just in time for Memorial Day, SheerID is now serving Winter Park Resort, American Century Championship, Good Home Co. and several others offering discounts for active duty military, reserves and veterans. See sheerid.com.